need some more help

What brand of rotary cutter do you recommend?

Jacqueline

and other fun things

what kind do you already have? it may only need a new blade to make it work like a dream and make it feel like it could cut through steel ;-)

mind you - no cutter works well without a ruler when cutting straight lines.

also: there are handles that can be bought to put on rulers and would make it easier for you to cut :-)

I like the Olfa ergonomic rotary cutters, and I also have a green Clover, which is good.

I also like the Fiskars cutters: I have a couple of LARGE cutting mats, neither of which I've had any smell problems with, and they have both remained nice and flat. One is a green one by Olfa (not a self healing one), and the other a blue one from Memory Craft. Then I also have a smaller Fiskars one that I take with the sewing stuff when on the move.

For rulers I like Creative Grids:

Quilts are like that. And life's too short to wait on things like this!

I'll just deal with the cutting! others will join in:

I have an Olfa mat. They are great - occasionally a smelly one turns up >g< It will just have to be aired, if you get one of those! I think most people think they are pretty good. They come in different sizes. My most used one is 20-something x nearly 20. If your hands are a problem, try to get a cutter which is called 'ergonomic'. They have specially shaped handles which fit nicely into the palm of your hand. Also, you may need to change your blade more often than most of us, because the sharper the blade, the easier it will cut, with least pressure required. So, try to find somewhere that has packs of ten or more at a special price. It isn't so much the cheap cutter, probably, as the blade. Also, it might be too tight. The hand-turning screw at the back needs to be tight enough to hold the blade on, but not too tight to prevent easy rolling. When you get your cutter, open it up

*very* carefully and make sure you know the order in which the little parts are assembled. Always put the bits down in the order they come off the cutter, so that you can put it all back together in the right way. Sometimes there is a curved washer, which needs to be put back with the curve turned the right way.

Rulers: The most useful one is probably the 6 1/2" x 24". You will need one like that for cutting large pieces. However, it is heavy, and takes quite a bit of hand power to hold it steady. I recommend that you also buy the 4 1/2" x 12 1/2". I love that one. It will be specially useful for you if you are cutting squares - you can buy long quarters instead of fat quarters and the smaller ruler will go right across a long quarter (or buy a third of a yard, so that you can be sure of getting two five inch squares across the width, if that is what you are going to work with).

Lastly, there are scissors which are spring so that you do not have to use your hands to pull them apart after every cut. Scissors might do you very well for a lot of your cutting. These would be a great investment for you (I am trying to get a pair, but haven't yet found any large ones).

There you are - some things to chew over >g< . In message , Jacqueline writes

Get a new blade for the cutter you bought and see if that solves your problem. Better yet, go to your LQS at a slow time of day, explain your problem, and ask if you can try out a few different cutters. They might say no, but it wouldn't hurt to ask. My current favorite is the Fiskars with the ergonomic handle. But whatever cutter you have, the blade needs to be changed now and then. While you're there, ask them to give you a cutting lesson. This sounds stupid, but it's amazing how many people try to cut at an angle, or with the wrist bent out of shape. You need a cutter that allows you to work with a straight wrist. This might mean some changes in your cutting table too -you can't cut straight if it's the wrong height and forces you to bend over.

Edging = binding. I've never seen ready-made binding that was wide enough: a

2.5" strip folded in half (so-called double-fold binding). We generally make our own. Doesn't have to be bias binding unless you have something with a curved edge.

Don't be tempted to save money on thread. Good thread doesn't look fuzzy if you hold up a piece in a good light and put your glasses on. Look for a label that says "long staple". Make sure it's for machine work -some hand quilting thread has a glaze finish that might gum up your tension discs.

I almost never buy fabric for a particular project. So I tend to buy whatever looks irresistably gorgeous, as much as I can afford. It's like crayons -you need a lot of different colors on hand, because you never know. Don't worry about batting until you have a top done. (Easy for me to say -just bought a full bolt of the stuff. But I do this a lot.)

Don't worry about annoying us -we love enthusiasm! Roberta in D

"Jacqueline" schrieb im Newsbeitrag news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com...

If you have a Joanne's near you, you can buy a set with the cutter ruler and mat, either olfa or fiskers. Either is fine, I prefer the Olfa. Use a 40% off coupon. If you don't have one, post, and someone will send you one. I agree that this is an indespensible tool.

Although you can cut many blocks at a time, don't try more than 4.

For fabric - stock yourself first before you quish people. I order a lot from Fabrics.com closeout pages. Because if they have what you want, their prices are very good. They have nice assortments also. Juse click on Stephen's assortments.

Don't skimp on thread either. Some people say it's a no-no, but I will often use serger thread for piecing. A good brand though - like maxilock. I once tried to use Joanne's brand and when I ironed with a very hot iron, it became brittle and fell apart - not something you want to happen after you piece your quilt. I would recommend that for a beginner.

L>I am at wits end again. I know that even though I have bought precut

Roberta, I do not have a local quilting store. I live in a very small town with very few stores. I mean we only have one grocery store. I will have to drive at least 3 hours to go to a quiliting store and at present I am not able. I love your suggestions as I do everyone else's and I really do appreciate them. I have to drive 45 minutes to get to the nearest Wal-mart and it isn't a super center either. I so look forward to doing these projects and I really hope I can. I am going to put my best foot forward (that's almost a tongue and cheek saying at this point; and give it a go and I am not giving up on it if I end up with the ugliest quilt on earth. Jacqueline

and other fun things

Jacqueline wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com:

I've got an Olfa and a Fiskars and I actually prefer my Fiskars even though it's smaller. Your blade problem may be correctable just by getting some replacement blades of the correct size. I bet that clears right up for you. As far as cutting mats, I've been using a Fiskars self healing mattI bought from Walmart forever now. I was given a matt that's not self healing and I don't like them much.

What other supplies to I need, since I will have

I try to buy at least 2 yards unless it a basic colors such as white, black, maroon, green, etc. If I know I'll be using a color often I get as many yards as I can afford at the time. With FQs, I allow myself to buy on whim since they're such an inexpensive item.

I don't think it's possible to come here and get bored talking about quilting! After all, isn't that what draws us all together in this group? I for one look forward to enabling another quiltaholic and I doubt I'll get any disagreement from anyone else by saying there aren't nearly enough quilters in the world!

I so understand the 45 minute drive problem. Until last month I had to do the same. Now there is a Walmart within five minutes of my home. Does your WalMart have fabric, thread, etc.? Some do. The ones that do usually have rotary cutters, rulers, and mats. I've been getting thread, bobbins, needles, scissors, chalk pencils, and other notions at mine, along with some fabrics. Debra in VA See my quilts at

How much fabric to buy depends on what you like to make. When I taught quilting, all my students seemed to want to make bed quilts, so my class samples were all queen sized. Then I bought 3.5 yards for most cuts. That's about the length for borders and the leftovers can be used for piecing and bindings. Now I make mostly lap quilts and wall hangings, so I buy a lot of fat quarters and 1/2 to 1 yard pieces. If it might be a backing, then I'll but 1.5 to 2 yards. You CAN make quilts from scraps, all fat quarters, only two fabrics in the entire quilt and a bajillion other combinations..... you can do anything you want!

The only true requirement is to buy LOTS of (quality) fabric in great variety! And pre-wash all your fabrics! LOL :-P~~~~~

Leslie & The Furbabies > I am at wits end again. I know that even though I have bought precut

Debra, the one that is closest has fabric and stuff but I normally go to Walmart in Norton, VA because that is where I sometimes go to the doctor. That use to be where I always went until my mother got sick and I just couldn't be gone that long, of course it is just about an hour and 15 minutes from here and it is a super Walmart. I average going to VA about twice a month for various things. I consider that my main shopping hub. I will check the next time I am at a Walmart for the items, which may even be tomorrow since I have to go out of town to see an orthopedic doctor tomorrow.

Thanks for everything,

Jacquel>>

Jacqueline

and other fun things

I believe I use Olfa. Make sure you get the proper size blades and change them when they are not cutting like butter.

-- Anita --

Jacqueline, I have several different rotary cutters, but my favorite is the one by Martelli. It looks very different, with the handle part off to the side (you need to get the correct one, either right handed or left handed) but that means that you hold it in the palm of your hand. You can easily use it while sitting down, and it puts less strain on your wrist and hand because you use the whole arm/shoulder to push the cutter. It can take some getting used to if you already use a "regular" type cutter, but if you are just starting out, it might make things easier for you right from the beginning.

Pati, > >